Ex-pilot pleads guilty to running Houston brothels

HOUSTON (AP) — A former United Airlines pilot has been placed on five years of deferred adjudication probation after pleading guilty to running about a half dozen brothels in the Houston area.

Besides probation, state District Judge Jim Wallace ordered 53-year-old Bruce Wayne Wallis to pay a $2,000 fine and perform 150 hours of community service. He suggested the service be at a women’s shelter.

Wallis was suspended by United in 2015 after he was charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution and engaging in criminal activity. Prosecutors said he made about $400 a week from six to 10 women at each of the brothels that were at apartments and office buildings.

The Houston Chronicle reported the judge said Thursday what Wallis did was despicable, but that he didn’t coerce any of the prostitutes.

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This story has been corrected to fix spelling of ex-pilot Wallis in last paragraph.